Montcalm Community College unveiled the Robert C. Ferrentino Student Services Center on its Sidney campus during an April 12 reception.

The center was named after Ferrentino, who served as the college’s fifth president from 2009 through 2019, for his unwavering commitment to developing and implementing initiatives to support student success on all levels. It was developed as a place to manage the business of being a student, merging the college’s Student Success Center with its Student Services Department, Financial Aid Department and Business Office.

“I am truly humbled by this tribute,” Ferrentino said. “Never in a million years did I think an honor such as this would come my way. And, as a result, I have been a little overwhelmed by the whole thing.”

In recognition of Bob’s passion for student success, when he retired in 2019, the MCC Board of Trustees took action to rename the Student Services Center on his behalf to formalize his legacy at the college.

“Bob was an absolute delight to work with during his 10 years at the college,” said Board of Trustees Chair Karen Carbonelli. “He was a strong supporter of continuous quality improvement initiatives to make our institution stronger and position the college for continuing success in educating our community.

“This center is evidence of his leadership style and his ability to empower his team to create an environment conducive to developing and delivering the services needed to support our students,” she said.

Under his leadership, the college’s first Student Success Center was established in 2011. At the time, the center was geared toward curriculum support for students, bringing together services in counseling and advising, testing, skills assessment, tutoring, supplemental instruction and accessibility services in one location, with qualified professional staff easily accessible to assist students.

Throughout the years, the center’s services have been fine-tuned to improve the delivery of student services in a continuous effort to help students be successful during their time at MCC.

“In the early days, we weren’t sure exactly where we were going, except to say that a vague goal of improving student success was there and we got to work filling in a lot of blanks,” Ferrentino said. “Today, we have a much-improved understanding of not only students’ needs and goals, but also of the obstacles many of them face in successfully reaching those goals. Better yet, I know we have strategies in place to help students overcome those obstacles on their road from college enrollment to their ultimate success.

“It’s clear our commitment to students’ success remains strong and I am so proud to be part of that commitment,” he added.

MCC President Stacy H. Young, Ph.D., recognized Ferrentino for his role in building a stronger foundation for student success at the college.

“We are really proud of the work that Bob started, and we have continued,” Dr. Young said. “I am so excited to take this moment to celebrate Bob’s dedication to student success, his ongoing commitment to MCC and the legacy that he left us when he retired.”